Crocs may be ugly, but they’re making a fashion comeback
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I read somewhere that Crocs are making a comeback. That CAN’T be true!! Whaaat? Why? What’s your opinion of these ugly shoes?
— Pammy J.
Dear Pammy: I guess I don’t get out much these days because this is a trend that totally escaped my attention. But you’re right. “We Can’t Believe
It, Either: Crocs are Cool Now” (GQ), “The Croc is Winter 2020’s It-Shoe” (British Vogue) and “Sorry, Crocs are Cool Now” (Slate) were just a few of the headlines that popped up when I looked into this phenomenon. So, you asked me my opinion: I think they’re hideous. But, when we’re stuck indoors in a pandemic, they’re comfortable and kind of inexpensive ($50-ish) so … who cares if they’re ugly? (Besides, clunky sneakers and athletic shoes from luxury labels such as Chanel, Gucci and Balenciaga have enjoyed a huge popularity among fashion headliners who can afford $900+ for “gym” shoes.)
One reason for the renewed popularity of Crocs is the ugly/beautiful concept that sounds better in French: jolie laide (good looking/ ugly), usually applied to a woman or item that is not conventionally beautiful but is attractive.
Some stylish people claim they’re wearing Crocs — they float! — ironically. And the Jibbitz (silly charms to attach to your Crocs) add a certain je ne sais quoi. I confess that back in February when I read stories about the
Crocs collaboration with Kentucky Fried Chicken, a tiny voice inside my head said, “Get some!” Fortunately, they were sold out.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
My feet are so cold in the evening that I wear three to four pairs of socks and they’re still frequently freezing. I tried battery-operated socks, but they didn’t suit me. Suggestions?
— Kelly C.
Dear Kelly: Microwaveable slippers. Even Oprah likes them. (The Warmies.com brand made last year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list.) Some brands are a cross between socks and slippers so they’d work for sleeping or lining rubber boots (Carex brand, amazon.com, $11.99). There’s also shoe insoles you can microwave. You can find the slippers for $35 and under and the insoles for $21 or less on Amazon and other sites.
Angelic Readers
Loads of readers made it clear that thinning and graying eyebrows are widespread beauty problems — prompting some creative solutions and product suggestions.
Ellen K. applied black seed oil daily (with a wooden chopstick) and “my eyebrows do look thicker” (amazon.com, $12.49 and up). Ann M. says Godefroy Tint Kit (walmart.com, $18.36) works better than my suggestion of Just for Men Mustache & Beard (drugstores). “The color lasts for several weeks,” says Ann.
Judy T. recommends using plain ChapStick (drugstores) on the skin around the brows to prevent dye skin stains:
“It wipes off easily when rinsing away the dye. Perfect every time.” Marlee M. swears by Maybelline Brow Fast Sculpt Gel Mascara and alternates it with Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil (drugstores, maybelline. com). Unrelated, she raves about Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser “for concealer and sometimes as a makeup base.”
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail. com.